Cosmetic composition in particular with anti-ageing activity comprising an extract of Aframomum angustifolium or longoza plant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition. This composition is characterized in that it comprises, as active ingredient, an extract of seeds of the Aframomum angustifolium or Longoza plant, optionally in a cosmetically acceptable excipient. This cosmetic composition exhibits a good anti-ageing activity.

1. A method of cosmetic care, comprising:
 contacting the skin of an individual in need thereof with a cosmetic composition comprising an extract from the seeds of the plant  Aframomum angustifolium  wherein the extract is present at a concentration of about 0.001% to about 5% by weight of the total weight of the composition wherein said composition is applied to the areas of the skin in need of anti-ageing care. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is present at a concentration of about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is applied to the areas of the skin in need of an anti-ageing care selected from the group consisting of an anti-wrinkle activity for decreasing, eliminating or slowing down the appearance of wrinkles, a care for preserving the structure of the skin, a care for restoring the structure of the skin, a care for repairing the oxytalan fibres and/or the elaunin fibres, a care for repairing skin elasticity, a care for restoration of skin elasticity, and a care for firming the skin. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extract from the seeds of the plant  Aframomum angustifolium  is prepared by at least one step of solvent extraction of the ground seeds with a cosmetically acceptable extraction solvent selected from an alcoholic solvent and an aqueous-alcoholic solvent. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said extract is defatted by elimination of the lipids by performing at least one additional extraction step with an apolar organic solvent to obtain a defatted alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extract. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein said apolar organic solvent is selected from hexane and n-heptane. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein said defatted extract is subjected to further steps comprising:
 decoloring by filtration a decoloring agent; and 
 washing with a solution of an alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic solvent after elimination of the decoloring agent. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein said solvent is substantially completely evaporated off, thereby obtaining a dry extract. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising dissolving said dry extract in a cosmetically acceptable solvent. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising dissolving said dry extract in a cosmetically acceptable solvent selected from an alcohol and an aqueous-alcoholic mixture. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the alcohol of at least one of said alcoholic solvent and of said aqueous-alcoholic solvent is selected from a monoalcohol and a polyol containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and butylene glycol. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein said alcohol is ethanol.